Written by Nick Wagner, DVM
As the swine industry faces the challenges of endemic diseases, foreign animal diseases, and emerging diseases in all phases of production, remaining vigilant through the implementation of an effective comprehensive biosecurity program is essential to prevent the transmission of disease and to maintain a healthy herd.Developing, implementing, and monitoring a multi-hurdle approach to effectively mitigate risk, specific for your operation requires a culture of compliance to consistently execute the program to a standard of biosecurity excellence while adhering to all regulatory requirements.The swine industry’s commitment to biosecurity protects the health and welfare of their herds and personnel, supports the judicious and efficient use of resources, safeguards the environment, and provides consumers with a safe and reliable supply of pork as the foundation for a sustainable future.
The component of compliance, as it relates to a comprehensive biosecurity program, involves both the necessary consistent, high-level execution of procedures by personnel and strict adherence to all regulations that cover the storage, handling, application, and disposal of chemicals and animal health products.It is very important to educate and train personnel in the proper techniques and procedures for consistent implementation to establish a committed culture of biosecurity excellence for your operation and the swine industry.With recent advancements in technology, evaluating and monitoring the implementation of the procedures conducted by personnel on a real-time basis through use of a data-driven approach allows concerns to be identified and adjustments to be made to avoid a costly breach.For chemical regulatory compliance, select Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered disinfectants that have efficacy claims against the pathogens of concern for the swine industry, to include bacteria, viruses, and fungi, while also containing the specific use applications that meet your needs on their labels.Chemicals, such as cleaners and disinfectants, must be applied to provide adequate coverage of all surfaces for the required contact time.Read, understand, and follow all directions for use on the product label to comply with all regulatory requirements and to achieve effective results.Ensure all safety warnings on product labels receive the proper attention necessary to protect personnel through the utilization of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).Apply products utilizing appropriately calibrated, easy to operate equipment to align with the dilution rate on the label to attain the proper chemical concentration for safety and effectiveness while eliminating waste.Follow all federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to proper chemical disposal and the appropriate management of any waste material for land application to prevent environmental pollution that could result in ecosystem disruption.Finally, when utilizing approved animal health products, to include vaccines and insecticides, as part of a biosecurity program, it is critical to ensure that any labeled withdrawal periods have elapsed prior to harvest and processing to prevent any meat residues.
An effective comprehensive biosecurity program contributes to the sustainability of your operation within the swine industry in several ways.The strategic selection of eco-friendly, biodegradable chemical products for use in the cleaning and disinfection process reduces or eliminates the concern for environmental pollution from the waste material generated by your operation.Additionally, it is valuable to select chemical solutions specifically formulated and distributed in a manner to reduce emissions attributable to supply chain logistics and limit packaging waste.Utilizing detergents in conjunction with properly calibrated, easy to operate equipment improves the efficiency of the cleaning process which results in savings in both labor and water usage.By optimizing the health, welfare, and productivity of your pigs, it decreases their susceptibility to disease which lowers incidence rates, reduces or eliminates treatment costs, and improves mortality rates.Further, this limits the need for treatment, such as antibiotics, which aligns with the practice of antibiotic stewardship in veterinary medicine to assist in diminishing the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.Pigs that maintain good health can attain their full genetic potential.The performance of healthier pigs results in more efficient utilization of feed and water which leads to better feed conversion, increased growth rates, a reduction in cost, and less greenhouse gas emissions.
The compliant implementation of a comprehensive biosecurity program protects pigs from infectious disease which contributes to a more productive and profitable operation.Selecting valuable chemical solutions for your biosecurity needs to maintain the health and welfare of your animals and personnel while proactively protecting the environment is critical to success.Therefore, with the ever-evolving disease pressures that the swine industry faces, dedicating the necessary attention and resources to biosecurity compliance will pay dividends to ensure a sustainable future for all involved.
